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First-Ever BW Atrea Prototype Breaks Ground

3/10/2008

FIRST-EVER BEST WESTERN UPPER-MIDSCALE ATREA PROTOTYPE
BREAKS GROUND IN SAN ANTONIO

PHOENIX (March 10, 2008) - San Antonio developer and hotel owner Ajay Patel recently broke ground on the first-ever Best Western Atrea prototype, a sleek upper mid-scale concept designed to drive premium, value-added pricing. The 100-room property is being built in southwest San Antonio's Westside Peak development and is expected to be complete next fall.

Although having just unveiled the Atrea prototype in October 2007, Best Western already has 11 Atrea properties in its pipeline, in addition to Patel's. Other markets committed to Atrea include Houston, Denver, Louisville, Dallas and Charlotte.

"Developers have jumped at the chance to build the Atrea prototype. Its design is attractive, functional and flexible enough to suit a variety of markets," said David Kong, president and CEO of Best Western International. "We expect it to be very successful and profitable model for hotel owners."

Guestrooms at Atrea are unique and spacious, designed around a loft concept. But the prototype's signature feature is its multi-function community space, including a breakfast area, bar and media area, that bring a sense of excitement to the lobby. Patel said the Atrea prototype is the ideal fit for its location at the junction of two major highways and a short drive from Lackland Air Force Base, a Microsoft data center, three new hospitals and SeaWorld.

"San Antonio needs more hotel rooms, and this property will have everything that business and leisure travelers need for a great stay," said Ajay Patel, who has plans to build an additional two Best Western hotels - including another Atrea prototype - in suburban San Antonio this year.

The Atrea prototype can be built at a cost of $85,000 - $90,000 per room, while comparable upper mid-scale brands often cost more than $100,000 per room. Its high-quality furniture, fixtures and equipment package is available for approximately $5,000 per room (excluding bed and TV) -- an extremely competitive price, thanks to Best Western's vast purchasing power.

More information about the Atrea prototype is available at www.bestwesterndevelopers.com.

ABOUT BEST WESTERN INTERNATIONAL
Best Western International is THE WORLD'S LARGEST HOTEL CHAIN®, providing marketing, reservations and operational support to over 4,000* independently owned and operated member hotels in 80* countries and territories worldwide. An industry pioneer since 1946, Best Western has grown into an iconic brand that hosts 400,000* worldwide guests each night. Best Western's diverse property portfolio, its greatest strength, stems from a business model designed to give owners maximum flexibility to address market-specific needs. Equally committed to the business and leisure traveler, Best Western recently embarked on a five-year mission to lead the hotel industry in customer care. Since 2004, Best Western has served as the Official Hotel of NASCAR®. For more information or to make a reservation, please visit www.bestwestern.com.